Kuga and Mondeo estate to the fore

Ford Australia has clammed up on the future of Kuga and Mondeo wagon Down Under. And that means just one thing -- decisions regarding the key new models' local future are close.

 

Both strong performers in Europe, the Kuga compact SUV and stylish mega-midsized Mondeo estate, have been floated as possible entrants to the Ford line-up Down Under. Now with the continued success of the compact SUV segment, and Holden's stylish Commodore Sportwagon a recent sales hit, Ford's lack of competitive entrants in both markets have brought the spotlight back on the two cars.

 

Ford currently offers the facelifted Escape as its compact SUV. Its sole wagon offer is the Falcon BF MkIII. The Escape is regarded as outclassed and outdated by most consumers in a segment that has seen a number of stylish more modern entrants of late. The Falcon is fleet focused, rather than fleet of foot.

 

Since its launch earlier this year, Kuga has been offered in a six-speed manual 2.0-litre turbodiesel variant only in its sole major right-hand drive market, the United Kingdom. The recent announcement there of an auto version would seem to have a major impediment sidestepped. Similarly, the Mondeo wagon is now available in a choice of Australian-market friendly powertrain combinations. 

 

Ford Australia Vice President Marketing, Sales and Service, Beth Donovan, sees potential for both vehicles Down Under and hints that future is not far away. However, she kept her new car cards close to her chest when quizzed at last week's local Fiesta launch in Adelaide.

 

When pushed on Kuga for Oz, the sales and marketing boss commented: "I think what you can expect these days is that all the vehicles we have around the world will be in consideration. But it's really important to make sure we get Australian customer input, if we're going to do [sell] something like that [Kuga]. Just because it's available in one part of the world [doesn't mean it will sell in Australia] -- it's still got to fit here

 

"What I would say is the [local] small utility segment doesn't have an entry anything like it, so it's a huge opportunity. On the other hand I need the customer to tell me that as well."

 

Donovan stressed a model 'walk' was key for Kuga's success in Australia. Though the automatic version has been flagged, she'd clearly like to see petrol engines as well.

 

"Today it only comes as a diesel manual and that's a concern. When they get an automatic [and petrol engines], that'll be more of a consideration.

 

"Then what you've got to come down to is where does it all fits in that [compact SUV] segment in the market. I don't think anybody's interested in bringing something in and then just selling a few hundred."

 

Donovan said Kuga had yet to be researched Down Under. The sales and marketing chief was planning brand and unbranded clinics, but was unable to shed light on why the research had not been cemented already.

 

Mondeo wagon's crunch time is even closer than Kuga, it seems.

 

"It's top of mind for me," Donovan told the Carsales Network.

 

"The Mondeo's just a great car period.  We're still very much interested in doing something [with the wagon]. I'll probably be able to tell you more on that in the next couple of months," she said.

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